Boxing to return to Del Mar Fairgrounds

DEL MAR  Professional boxing will return to the Del Mar Fairgrounds for the first time in four years on March 9.

The card features six matches, including a professional debut of an El Camino High School student, and a women's boxing bout.

Some of the fighters appeared at a press conference at the fairgrounds Friday to promote the matchups.

The eight-round main event pits South County resident James "El Chocolate" Parison, 15-1 with six knockouts, against Lester "El Cubanito" Gonzalez, of Clairemont, who is 13-4-3 with six knockouts. The two often spar against each other and shook hands at the conference.

"We know each other really well," said Gonzalez, speaking through a Spanish translator. "The whole world is going to enjoy an excellent fight."

"I know it's not going to be easy, but I'm ready," Parison said.

A six-round co-main event is scheduled between Amaris "Diamond Girl" Quintana, of La Mesa, and Elizabeth "Dinamia" Cervantes of Lakeside. Quintana is 5-0-2 with one knockout, while Cervantes is 3-6 with one knockout.

Some of the under-card matches include the debut of Oceanside resident Jonathan Quiroz, a 115 pound El Camino High School senior. Quiroz, 40-10 in an amateur career, is tentatively scheduled to go four rounds with Anthony Briones of Riverside. Quiroz said he's ready for his first fight without a helmet.

Pablo "Bronco" Armentia (7-1-1 with three knockouts) will fight a to-be-determined opponent.

The boxing event begins at 8 p.m. at the Wyland Center on the fairgrounds. Tickets range from $20 to $55. The event is being produced by Bobby DePhilippi, a restaurant owner and boxing promoter for 30 years.